Ask E. Jean: Should I Choose the Steady Good Guy or Exciting Bad Boy?

Dear E. Jean: I'm torn between two men: Guy No. 1 is honest, open, easy, sweet, stable, and steady as a rock. He can be a bit drab. Guy No. 2 is gregarious and exciting, but he's had a lot of girlfriends and plays the drama king. Common sense should tell me Guy No. 1 is the best choice, but I crave the thrills of Guy No. 2, even though he frustrates and hurts me. I'm 33 and so confused I'm considering moving to a remote tropical island, opening a beachside bar, and giving up men altogether! —Ready to Board a Plane for the Bahamas

Bahamas, my blossom : Both Bad Boy and Basic Boy—classic choices!—are correct for all occasions. Accessorizing with Bad Boy (Guy No. 2) will give you a ravishing, tousled look (all the sex), but after several wearings you'll appear puffy (all the crying), doughy (all the vodka), and exhausted (all the spying to see whom he's gonna bang next). If you wish to look happy, loved, and respected, then go with Guy No. 1. His zipper will stay up. The latest research, as reported in New Scientist, confirms two facts you probably already know: (1) Bad boys get the most girls—duh. Studies conducted separately by Peter Jonason at New Mexico State University and David Schmitt at Bradley University in Illinois say that being a callous, deceitful, narcissistic cad can be a superb evolutionary strategy: i.e., Bad Boys father more babies. (2) Ergo, you won't follow my advice.

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